M26 Frag Grenade: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of Vietnam]]
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|[[File:Flag_us_new.png|50px]]<br><strong>[[US]]</strong>|| [[File:M26.png|300px]]<br><b>[[M26 Frag Grenade]]</b> || [[File:Weapon m26.svg|400px]] || [[File:Class_Assault.png|50px]] <b>[[Assault]]</b><br> [[File:Class_medic.png|50px]] <b>[[Medic]]</b><br> [[File:Class_Gunner.png|50px]] <b>[[Gunner]]</b><br> [[File:Class_sniper.png|50px]]  <b>[[Sniper]]</b><br> || 1 / 2 || 135 || 350
|[[File:Flag_us_new.png|50px]]<br><strong>[[US]]</strong>|| [[File:M26.png|250px]]<br><b>[[M26 Frag Grenade]]</b> || [[File:Weapon m26.svg|250px]] || [[File:Class_Assault.png|50px]] <b>[[Assault]]</b><br> [[File:Class_medic.png|50px]] <b>[[Medic]]</b><br> [[File:Class_Gunner.png|50px]] <b>[[Gunner]]</b><br> [[File:Class_sniper.png|50px]]  <b>[[Sniper]]</b><br> || 1 / 2 || 140 || 350
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The M26 is a fragmentation hand grenade developed by the United States military. It entered service around 1952 and was used in combat during the Korean War. Its distinct lemon shape led it to being nicknamed the "lemon grenade" (compare the Russian F1 grenade and American Mk 2 "pineapple" grenade, with similar nicknames).
The '''M26''' is an American fragmentation hand grenade introduced in the early 1950s as a successor to the World War II-era Mk 2. Its smooth, oval “lemon” body was intended to be easier to carry and throw while still producing effective fragmentation. It is best known as the basis for the M26-family grenades that were widely used by U.S. forces through the Vietnam War era.
=HISTORY=
The M26 was developed as a result of studies on the Mk 2. Unlike its previous counterpart, its M204A1 fuse creates no tell-tale smoke or sparks when ignited and its powder train is almost silent while it burns down. Its Composition B filler was considered safer than the flaked or granular TNT filling used in the Mk 2.


The M26 series was created after World War II to meet criticisms of the Mk 2. The original M26 replaced the Mk 2 Fragmentation Grenade as Army standard issue in Korea. Massive World War II production left the Mk 2 as limited standard issue with the US Army and US Marines throughout the 1960s and the US Navy until the 1970s. The M26A1 / M61 was the primary fragmentation grenade used by American forces in the [[Vietnam War]].
==HISTORY==
The M26 was developed from postwar studies of the Mk 2 grenade, addressing complaints about inconsistent fragmentation and the conspicuous ignition effects of earlier fuzes. The M26 family used a safer and more uniform explosive filler (commonly Composition B) and a fuze design that avoided obvious sparks or smoke during function, improving both handling safety and tactical discretion. The M26 entered U.S. service in the early 1950s and saw combat use in Korea, gradually supplanting the Mk 2 as standard issue in many Army units while large leftover stocks kept Mk 2 grenades in circulation for years.


The M26 series (M26/M61/M57) was replaced by the M33 series grenade (M33/M67) at the end of the Vietnam War.
By the Vietnam War era, improved variants in the M26 family—often referenced through designations such as the M26A1 and related types—were among the primary fragmentation grenades used by U.S. forces in theater. As grenade designs continued to evolve, the M26 family was later replaced by newer U.S. fragmentation grenade patterns that became standard after Vietnam.
<br>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M26_grenade SOURCE]
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===Sources===
* https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/m26.htm M26 Fragmentation Hand Grenade | Federation of American Scientists (Military Analysis Network)
* https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m26.htm M26 Fragmentation Grenade | GlobalSecurity.org
* https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/hand-grenade-fragmentation-m26 Hand grenade, fragmentation, M26 | National Army Museum
* https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1213531 Hand Grenade, M26 (collection record) | Australian War Memorial


<gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
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File:M26 Grenade.jpg
File:RpOXbBStdFVaMU7Y8HD6lJRHpId64qlKmpK8bXYH.jpg
File:M26-hand-grenade.jpg
</gallery>


<div class="mw-collapsible" style="border:1px solid #ccc; padding:5px; width:100%;">
  <div style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">Real-Life Photos</div>
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    <gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
File:M26 Grenade.jpg|M26 fragmentation hand grenade.
File:RpOXbBStdFVaMU7Y8HD6lJRHpId64qlKmpK8bXYH.jpg|M26-series grenade in field context.
File:M26-hand-grenade.jpg|M26 “lemon” grenade profile.
    </gallery>
  </div>
</div>


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Latest revision as of 23:29, 24 February 2026

Factions Frag Grenades Icon Classes Ammo Explosion
Damage Radius

US
M26 Frag Grenade		 Assault
Medic
Gunner
Sniper
 1 / 2 140 350
Designation Weapon Type Fire Modes Throwing Range Weight
M26 Grenade 3 Sec + 5 Sec 25 meters? 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Full name Ammo Type Place of Origin Date Manufacturer Total Length Weapon Script Name
Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, M26 frag grenades USA 1952 Denel Rheinmetall Munitions 3 7/8 in (99 mm) weapon_m26


The M26 is an American fragmentation hand grenade introduced in the early 1950s as a successor to the World War II-era Mk 2. Its smooth, oval “lemon” body was intended to be easier to carry and throw while still producing effective fragmentation. It is best known as the basis for the M26-family grenades that were widely used by U.S. forces through the Vietnam War era.

HISTORY

The M26 was developed from postwar studies of the Mk 2 grenade, addressing complaints about inconsistent fragmentation and the conspicuous ignition effects of earlier fuzes. The M26 family used a safer and more uniform explosive filler (commonly Composition B) and a fuze design that avoided obvious sparks or smoke during function, improving both handling safety and tactical discretion. The M26 entered U.S. service in the early 1950s and saw combat use in Korea, gradually supplanting the Mk 2 as standard issue in many Army units while large leftover stocks kept Mk 2 grenades in circulation for years.

By the Vietnam War era, improved variants in the M26 family—often referenced through designations such as the M26A1 and related types—were among the primary fragmentation grenades used by U.S. forces in theater. As grenade designs continued to evolve, the M26 family was later replaced by newer U.S. fragmentation grenade patterns that became standard after Vietnam.

Sources

Real-Life Photos
  • M26 fragmentation hand grenade.
    M26 fragmentation hand grenade.
  • M26-series grenade in field context.
    M26-series grenade in field context.
  • M26 “lemon” grenade profile.
    M26 “lemon” grenade profile.
Videos
Load video
YouTube
Load video
YouTube
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